Struggling with exhaustion, I tried to get up from the deep snow after a fall. Beads of sweat ran down my face when I spotted my guide, Kris Robinson, waiting patiently downstairs. Unable to muster any more strength, I collapsed and took a moment to absorb the immensity of Canada's Columbia Mountains. Then I radioed Kris for help. “Cross your poles over your inside ski,” he said. It worked and it's advice I won't soon forget.
For me, it was like a unique trip. I had never backcountry skied in British Columbia before; Typically my time outside means biking, hiking, or skiing near Boulder, Colorado, where I live. Yet here I was in the heart of the northern Selkirk and Monashee Mountains, where snow-capped peaks meet untouched powder, staying at Gothics Lodge, on a March trip with CMH Heliskiing and Summer Adventures.
For a backcountry destination, the lodge is relatively easy to reach. It's located an hour north of Revelstoke, a former mining town and dream outpost for hardcore skiers, known for its spectacular alpine terrain and plentiful precipitation.
I had been invited to join a group of other outdoor professionals for a four-day heli-skiing experience. “The Gothics is one of the most accessible and welcoming destinations in CMH,” Jared Smith, president and CEO of Alterra Mountain Company, owner of CMH, told us. “Like all the staff at our lodge, the Gothics team puts you at ease by guiding you from the moment you arrive until the day you leave. » Jared said this trip would be an incredible combination of training and skiing that would lead to life-changing experiences. He was right.
Our group numbered just over 30 people, including athletes and innovators, familiar faces, and others I was meeting for the first time. I was a backcountry novice compared to Olympic snowboarders like Shaun Whiteactress Nina DobrevOlympic skier Nina O'Brienformer professional skier Drew Duffy, snowboarder Kimmy Fasani, freeskier and artist Chris Benchetler (Fasani's husband) and Jesse White, Shaun's brother and creative director of the brand.
The first thing I noticed upon arrival was a fleet of fat bikes and cross-country skis, a taste of the adventures to come. Every day we woke up at 7am for different activities. The first day was spent training and preparing for handling powder in the backcountry, including avalanche safety sessions, helicopter familiarization, operation of the radio and equipment settings by Pontus Carlsson, a Swedish ski technician, who made sure we were ready.
That afternoon, in thick fog and stormy conditions, our guides led us through forest routes and undergrowth slopes. Justin Clarke was my patient guide. After a few falls and unclipped skis hidden under the snow, I started to find my balance and remembered that powder is soft. I also learned how to stay away from tree pits, which can swallow a skier, and that I should have worn light-colored clothing to make it easier for Justin to find me.
One of the things that can make or break a trip is the team in place. At Gothics, we have been looked after by the best in the business, including long-time CMH Guide and Assistant Regional Manager, Pete Murray, and his group of skilled guides. The rest of the lodge staff greeted us with a warmth that set the tone for the days to come, led by Brittany Johnston, Laoise O'Neill and Alan Fraiser, originally from Scotland, who was in his first year at CMH as the new director. of hospitality.
The terrain covered by the group on the morning of the second day. Powered by Trailforks.com
Evenings at the lodge were a mix of relaxation, camaraderie and delicious food, and a nice respite for my burning quads. One Night, President and COO of CMH Rob Rohn told us about his beginnings as an apprentice ski guide in 1984, alongside the founder of the CMH, Hans Gmoser. Rohn has been with CMH for 37 years and the company now offers trips to ten other British Columbia locations in addition to Gothic Lodge, as well as heli-hiking in summer. In total, CMH has access to three million acres of land, including more than 750 square miles in Gothics alone.
After a snowy night, on the second day we stayed on the lower slopes and in the trees to mitigate avalanche risk. Helicopter pilots Blaze Oliver, Rich Fries and Michael Beran took us to remote locations with spectacular views. On board, we were encouraged to drink “heli juice” – an electrolyte concoction to keep us hydrated. Coming out of a helicopter on top of a mountain, with no one to rely on other than your guides and group, gave me a feeling of fear and awe.
On the third day, we climbed higher to the Liberty Plateau. The skiing was beautiful and rigorous, and we covered a large amount of terrain over three days, skiing nearly 60,000 vertical feet.
